MDG target: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

Halving hunger is complex because it is integrally linked with achieving nearly all the MDGs. Malnutrition is a function of many factors, including poverty, inadequate water and sanitation, poor living environments, unhealthy diets and behaviours, and restricted access to education. Identifiable policies to increase food and nutrient availability are warranted to prevent nutritional disorders, particularly among underserved, hard-to-reach populations.

MDG target: Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-5 mortality rate

In the Western Pacific Region, 56% of under-five child deaths occurred during the neonatal period. The leading causes of under-five mortality in the Region are pneumonia/sepsis, preterm birth complications and birth asphyxia. Focus should be on providing better quality of care, reaching more remote, underserved populations with essential services; timely antibiotic treatment for pneumonia; and maintaining the gains in immunization coverage.